neverbeenhere Posted December 15, 2015 #1 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Celebrity cruising is pretty great. We get a nice ride for the money we pay. But, many like to think about the good ole' days and what used to be. Here is the beginnings of a list of what Celebrity cruising included at one time or another.(not withstanding loss of water in Aqua class) (hoping this won't get too negative) - some of this might still exist at times Personal escort to stateroom upon embarkation Personalized Stationery Large Varied chocolates nightly waiter/assistant called you by name after first night Nearly continuous cleaning of stateroom by steward (way back) Clothesline in shower Water and ice automatically in stateroom UGH Harp Player Quartets String trios Many Announcements over the loud speakers UGH Gift from officer when attending Captain's table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare hcat Posted December 15, 2015 #2 Share Posted December 15, 2015 (edited) Celebrity cruising is pretty great. We get a nice ride for the money we pay. But, many like to think about the good ole' days and what used to be. Here is the beginnings of a list of what Celebrity cruising included at one time or another.(not withstanding loss of water in Aqua class) (hoping this won't get too negative) - some of this might still exist at times Personal escort to stateroom upon embarkation Personalized Stationery Large Varied chocolates nightly waiter/assistant called you by name after first night Nearly continuous cleaning of stateroom by steward (way back) Clothesline in shower Water and ice automatically in stateroom UGH Harp Player Quartets String trios Many Announcements over the loud speakers UGH Gift from officer when attending Captain's table. Genuine reggae isand bands. Like Opus, Flare, many more jimmy buffet guitar players...who can both sing and play guitar,, Classical guitarist great party bands top notch classy cruise directors like Dru Pavlov Formal service in MDR..,great bread baskets, flaming desserts Cap Club access to Michaels...cozy, friendly get togethers Free onboard events like wine tasting, elegant tea Absence of persistent sales pitches (always pitched art auction and spa products..but now everything) Every one dressing their best! Edited December 15, 2015 by hcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junetraveler2014 Posted December 15, 2015 #3 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Midnight buffet Ice sculptures Red roses on embarkation My understanding no more "Captains Table" Escort by butler to your suite Dinner by the senses in Normandy or sister restaurants A nice leisurely top deck to sit quietly with a nice after dinner sherry Craft beers Am I showing my age?:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Cruiser 6143 Posted December 15, 2015 #4 Share Posted December 15, 2015 The clothesline in the shower still exists on the M class ships. Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverbeenhere Posted December 15, 2015 Author #5 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Grand Buffet (or whatever the lunch thing was called) Sorbet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeaBag Posted December 15, 2015 #6 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Still a Captains Table. We saw 3 events on our TA last month. Choux pastry swan floating in a sea of chocolate sauce. Yum. Mixed vegetables in potato baskets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhead525 Posted December 15, 2015 #7 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Molecular Bar Formal Nights (heard this weeks cruises was the end of Formal Night) Activity staff (more than one) with free activities as opposed to pay as you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbadogmom Posted December 15, 2015 #8 Share Posted December 15, 2015 I know it's silly but I thought the personalized stationary was the coolest thing ever[emoji4] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkjretired Posted December 15, 2015 #9 Share Posted December 15, 2015 (edited) Genuine reggae isand bands. Like Opus, Flare, many more jimmy buffet guitar players...who can both sing and play guitar,, Classical guitarist great party bands top notch classy cruise directors like Dru Pavlov Formal service in MDR..,great bread baskets, flaming desserts Cap Club access to Michaels...cozy, friendly get togethers Free onboard events like wine tasting, elegant tea Absence of persistent sales pitches (always pitched art auction and spa products..but now everything) Every one dressing their best! Besides flaming desserts in the MDR, flaming drinks especially after dinner. Four people in the MDR serving you with less tables than they have now. Michel Roux One thing from the OP, I don't ever remember many announcements over the loud speakers and I'm going back 20plus years. Edited December 15, 2015 by dkjretired Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABoatNerd Posted December 15, 2015 #10 Share Posted December 15, 2015 My offerings... * Grand buffet * Real pastry offerings - the pain au chocolate used to be pastry quality, now cheap bread * Breads made on ship - now frozen and baked * Real cream for room service coffee - now some awful edible oil crap that leaves an oil film * Garnished entrees in MDR - now sparse to none * Complex and innovative salads at the Spa Cafe - now basic salads and less variety * Meat quality reduction - as previously noted by many posters * Sail away band for caribbean sailings - gone * On S class - the fancy sandwiches at Bacio available when you boarded - added a glass of wine while waiting for the rooms to be ready - was a magnificent way to start the cruise - gone * The lemon tarts with chocolate slab on top - replaced with pre made tart with no chocolate. The former tarts were available in the Bacio - they were made with real lemon curd and absolutely fabulous. On many cruises we were at the sunset cafe and we would send someone to fetch a plate - gone In all cases, the former "premium" offerings have been replaced with inferior products. The former offerings were more in line with "modern luxury". Today, the products are typical mass stuff that would be found on most cruise lines. This is the essence of how Celebrity has changed to just another cruise line. Frankly, I am willing to pay a fare that provides for the former product - it is just that Celebrity will not provide it. ABoatNerd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gracie115 Posted December 15, 2015 #11 Share Posted December 15, 2015 GOOD piano bar entertainers A plethora of Sommeliers in the MDR.... Birthday cakes/Anniversary cakes in the MDR(okay they weren't great but it was the "thought") Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFontaine Posted December 15, 2015 #12 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Live music in the MDR Same MDR table for breakfast, lunch and dinner Potato baskets with potatoes inside But: if you missed lunch there was no food until tea. No all day burgers or pizza. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruzinram Posted December 15, 2015 #13 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Sailing on Celebrity since 1995. Makes me sad to see all the changes and Celebrity simply following the herd and not setting themselves apart from the other lines. I have always chosen Celebrity because they are different from the other lines. I can sail any ole cruise line if I want the same cookie cooker experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare richstowe Posted December 15, 2015 #14 Share Posted December 15, 2015 What's really incredible is how recent many of these changes are . My first Celebrity cruise was less then 3 years ago and I enjoyed many of these former amenities . A year later some more were gone and now even more cuts . I sense a trend .:D:eek: Perhaps the biggest single change is the gutting of the cruise directors / entertainment staff . There was actually free Zumba . It was seen as an activity not as a profit center . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snit13 Posted December 15, 2015 #15 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Would like to print most of the previous posts and Priority Mail to the CEO. What are they going to take away from us next? All of my/our favorite things which have gone missing have been posted....now even our water taken away. Since we have free beverage package for our 1st cruise and not our 2nd cruise in Feb. guess we better stock pile bottles of water for 2nd cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ma Bell Posted December 15, 2015 #16 Share Posted December 15, 2015 (edited) Bridge Instructors and organized bridge games More Sommeliers in MDR Midnight Bites Dessert Tray More daytime activities and instruction without charge Personalized dining room service More live musicians M Class ships had much better sight lines to the sea from public rooms before they started filling up every available nook and cranny More beautiful flowers Poor selection of side dishes and vegetables in MDR Better spa and beauty services at more reasonable prices Edited December 15, 2015 by Ma Bell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary El Posted December 15, 2015 #17 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Sugar cubes instead of sugar packets People dressed up (not necessarily formal) in the dining room Acepella group Quartet in the MDR We've been sailing on Celebrity since the 80s. Our first cruise was on the Meridian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseLurker Posted December 15, 2015 #18 Share Posted December 15, 2015 (edited) piano music in the dining room. Colonel Mustard in the Conservatory. Edited December 15, 2015 by CruiseLurker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsf Posted December 15, 2015 #19 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Back in the early 90's on Formal Night's they requested that pax remain dressed up all evening. Then again it might have been called Chandlis instead of Celebrity. J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbsey Posted December 15, 2015 #20 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Michaels Club - a classic gentleman's style lounge with full Humidore and a cigar master who rolled them right in front of you. Sony state-of-the-art theater effects. Golf Simulator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted December 15, 2015 #21 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Molded butter pats on ice...not the wrapped stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamcruzin Posted December 15, 2015 #22 Share Posted December 15, 2015 This is a very depressing thread. :( I'm almost happy that being new to Celebrity that I really don't miss these things. I guess this is why they are looking for new blood. What you don't know won't bother you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS2BS Posted December 15, 2015 #23 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Access to cabin when you boarded early Lunch in the dining room on embarkation day Ha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karynanne Posted December 15, 2015 #24 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Molded butter pats on ice...not the wrapped stuff! Luminae does have molded butter pats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverbeenhere Posted December 15, 2015 Author #25 Share Posted December 15, 2015 (edited) This is a very depressing thread. Please don't interpret this thread as depressing. There are many many nice amenities on the currently Celebrity line that did not exist in the past. While I would like to see some of what has been listed return, there is many positive things to say about Celebrity cruising today. Oh ya... The Tubes of Fire. (direct connect hair dryers) Edited December 15, 2015 by neverbeenhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now